In Minnesota this month, Obama leads 42% to 35% among voters not affiliated with either major party. Like in many states, the Democrat has a big lead among women (54% to 35%) but a marginal lead among men (44% to 40%). Obama leads among voters from every age group, but performs strongest among younger voters.

Rasmussen Markets data shows that Democrats are currently given an
% chance of winning Minnesota’s 10 Electoral College votes in November (results updated on a 24/7 basis by market participants). Minnesota is historically a blue state, casting its votes for Democratic candidates in the last eight elections. In 2004, John Kerry narrowly won the state 51% to 48%. Minnesota is considered a “Likely Democratic” state in the Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator. NOTE: Factors other than the latest Rasmussen Reports poll impact the Balance of Power ratings. The current status is indicated on the table in the upper right hand corner of this article.

As in all states, a solid plurality of voters in Minnesota (43%) choose the economy as the top issue of Election 2008. Among those voters, Obama has a 63% to 24% advantage. McCain has the lead among voters who say national security issues are most important, 60% to 32%. However, just 17% of Minnesota voters see this as the top issue of the upcoming election.

When it comes to the War on Terror, 54% of voters in Minnesota think the United States and its allies are winning, as opposed to 21% who think the terrorists are winning. Those results are a bit higher than those found nationally. Most voters (59%) agree with Obama in that Iraq is not the “central front” of the War on Terror, while 39% think Afghanistan holds that spot. Half of voters (50%) say Afghanistan is a bigger threat than Iraq to the U.S..

Nationally, belief is growing that the media is trying to help Obama win. In Minnesota, 47% of voters agree. A third of voters (33%) think reporters provide unbiased coverage of the election and just 8% think reporters are trying to help McCain. Fifty-nine percent (59%) believe reporters try to help the candidate they want to win when covering political news. Regarding media coverage of the ailing economy, 41% of voters think the media makes the situation sound worse than it really is, while 28% believe it provides an accurate picture.

President George W. Bush earns good or excellent ratings from 27% of voters in Minnesota, while 55% say he is doing a poor job. Nationally, Bush job approval ratings remain at record lows.